Alex Miller is thankful for the opportunities his appearances on American Idol have already got him
Winning American Idol would have been nice but Garrard County’s Alex Miller has made the most of his national exposure while he was on the popular ABC-TV show. He’s going to open for Hank Williams Jr. at the Wisconsin State Fair Aug. 15 in Milwaukee and for Josh Turner Aug. 19 at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville.
“I really can’t wait. I hope I am a hard act to follow,” Miller, a high school senior, said. “I hope I give those boys a challenge.”
He knows how rare it is for someone his age to have the opportunity to open for two country music icons like Hank Jr. and Turner.
“The fact I am doing it is a testament to how much people latched on to me and enjoyed my music,” Miller said.
Miller’s Idol audition of “I’m Over You So Get Over Me” and recently released his debut single that has been popular nationwide. Miller has been featured/interview by numerous media outlets, including a radio interview with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest.
“I did an interview with a guy in Hawaii. I was like, ‘You listen to country music down there?’ Unfortunately, they did not book a trip to Hawaii for me but that would be awesome if it happened,” he said. “Maybe there’s a chance I can get a show in Canada. People there like country music and they love me.”
He’s working with a talent agency out of Louisville now that is scheduling shows for him.
“This is going to be my full-time job. Ain’t no college in sight for me. It could not have all worked out better,” he said.
American Idol judge Luke Bryan promised him a chance to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville with him after he was cut from the show.
“I still have not heard back but I am thinking it will be some time in June,” Miller said. “The Opry should be soon. It’s going to happen. Don’t worry about that.”
His next scheduled appearance is Sunday at Good Hope Baptists Church in Lancaster and then he will be back at the Lincoln Jamboree in Hodgenville June 12. He also has a date at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in Mt. Vernon for a show June 24 and will sing the national anthem at the Garrard County Fair June 25. He also has appearances seen in Ohio and Pennsylvania before opening for Williams and Turner.
“Six months ago I would have played anywhere I could get and still will but now I have some of these once-in-a-lifetime things coming along,” Miller said. “but there is no such thing as a small gig. Every gig could lead to something bigger and better, and some have. There’s always stuff in the works. I have played a lot of small gigs and met somebody who knows somebody that leads to something big for me.
“I know I will try to play every show I can. The shows might be different but I will still be Alex Miller. Every show is important. You have to go local before you can go global.”
He’s still getting used to his new fame. If he goes out to eat, he always has someone wanting to talk to him. He went to a doctor and the nurse doing his blood work did a “double-take” when she saw him
“It’s a great honor that people know me. It’s pretty neat,” he laughed and said.
He enjoyed singing the national anthem at Richmond (Ky.) Raceway and got to watch the drivers start the race.
“Any time I can do the national anthem it is cool,” Miller said. “I am hoping to do the national anthem one night at the Boyle County Fair.”
He’s done some of shows by himself but is trying to put a touring band together.
“I feel I need a band. A band is always going to be better and a lot easier to dance to,” Miller said.
Miller markets himself all he can and admits he enjoys interviews as much as singing because he’s a people person.
“Getting out and playing shows is my wheelhouse. I just like people,” he said.
That’s one reason he liked having a chance to be on Kentucky Sports Radio because he knows a lot of his fans are also UK fans.
“I can’t talk sports. I like to sit and watch. My dad is a much bigger sports fan than me and was ecstatic I was on KSR. I do like Kentucky basketball. We went to see Anthony Davis play (at UK) but were up in the nosebleed seats. But I didn’t care. I was just happy to be there.”
He has a similar feeling about his time on American Idol.
“I am very thankful for how things turned out for me. I got to start my career earlier than some (others on American Idol). I have no complaints at all,” Miller said.
